Trump responds to reports of depleted US munitions in Iran war

President Donald Trump has vowed to hunt down people he described as "leakers" after reports said US offensive and defensive munitions stocks have been heavily depleted during the war with Iran. The latest reporting said the military has used nearly all of its Army Tactical Missile Systems and Precision Strike Missiles, while stocks of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors are also low. Trump rejected the claims and said the United States still has "massive amounts" of munitions, adding that large quantities are being manufactured and shipped as needed.

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The reports, cited by several US news organisations, have raised concern about the state of American stockpiles after months of fighting. One report said the US military had depleted about 80 percent of the THAAD interceptors it held before the war and roughly half of its Patriot interceptors. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the information was "not true", while Trump said long prison sentences would be sought for those responsible for leaking what he called treasonous statements.

The issue matters because the weapons in question are central to US military readiness and to the ability to sustain operations in a prolonged conflict. Experts quoted in the reporting said there is no short-term substitute for the air-defence missiles, and that replenishing pre-war stockpiles could take years even with increased production. The reports also suggested that if long-range missiles are exhausted, the military could be forced to rely more on closer-range or aerial attacks in any renewed escalation.

The dispute comes after five months of war and adds to scrutiny of how the United States is managing its weapons inventory while supporting operations in the region. The reporting said only Japan and Germany currently have licences to produce Patriot interceptors, and that no other country produces THAAD interceptors. That makes rapid replacement difficult and gives the issue wider significance for US allies that depend on the same systems.

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The administration has repeatedly pushed back on claims of shortages, but the latest reports have intensified questions about the scale of the drawdown. A Washington-based research group was also cited as saying the US had used a large share of its missile inventory, although the exact stockpile figures remain classified. The public dispute has therefore become both a military readiness issue and a political one, with the White House seeking to control the narrative around the war.

What remains unclear is the exact size of the remaining stockpiles, how quickly production can recover pre-war levels, and whether any internal inquiry into leaks will lead to charges. It is also not clear whether the reported depletion will affect future US operations or the pace of support to the war effort. The next developments to watch are any formal Pentagon clarification, further White House comment, and whether the conflict continues to drain missile supplies at the same rate.

President Donald Trump has denied reports that the United States is facing a munitions shortage, saying large quantities of weapons are still being produced and shipped as needed. In a social media post on Thursday morning, he also said his administration would seek long prison sentences for people suspected of leaking information about the issue. The comments come as questions grow over US missile stockpiles during the war with Iran.

Trump said the United States has "massive amounts" of munitions, especially of certain types, and insisted that supplies are being replenished. He wrote that the "leakers" of what he called treasonous statements are being "hunted down" and that long jail terms would be sought. The post followed reporting that the administration has been trying to reassure Americans that missile stocks remain strong despite heavy use in the conflict.

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The war with Iran is now in its sixth month, and the United States and Iran have continued to trade strikes despite multiple pauses in fighting. A full agreement to end hostilities has not yet been reached. The issue has become more sensitive because the US used large numbers of difficult-to-manufacture weapons during Operation Epic Fury and in the subsequent tit-for-tat strikes.

The debate matters because missile inventories are central to US military readiness and to the ability to sustain operations in a prolonged conflict. Public concern has been sharpened by reports that the US has used much of its global stockpile of long-range precision missiles. A national security think tank estimated that by the end of July the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles left, down from 2,330 before the conflict began.

That same estimate said the US had used around 60% of its terminal high altitude area defense missiles, which are used to intercept incoming strikes. The administration has not publicly confirmed the exact size of its stockpiles, which remain classified. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has also sought to impose stricter controls on what reporters can gather from the Pentagon, adding to the sensitivity around the issue.

The latest comments also follow reporting that Trump confronted Hegseth last week over a possible weapons shortfall, although that account has not been confirmed. The dispute highlights the political and operational pressure surrounding the war, as the US continues to support its military campaign while managing demand for weapons elsewhere. It also raises questions about how much information about stockpiles can be disclosed without affecting security.

What remains unclear is whether there is any actual shortage, how much of the stockpile has been committed, and whether any internal inquiry into leaks will lead to charges. The next developments to watch are any official Pentagon clarification, further White House statements, and whether the fighting with Iran eases or continues to drain US missile supplies. For now, the administration is publicly rejecting claims of scarcity while treating the leak allegations as a security matter.

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